Sick Bunny? Try a Rabbit Remedy.

This page is a compilation of remedies that were put together by several rabbit breeders and added to by myself. Many of the remedies were printed in the Hoosier News and in the American Fuzzy Lop Rabbit Club newsletter. I’ve also tested most of the remedies listed here. Please use with caution and feel free to ask me if you have any questions.

Unless otherwise indicated, herbal remedies should be used in the amount of one-two leaves once a day per rabbit.

Blackberry- Use leaves and fruit; this is soothing to the rabbit and can help to cool the animal by increasing circulation, it is good for pregnant does, especially on hot summer days, and can also help to stimulate appetite

Borage- increases milk flow and is slightly laxative

Chamomile- flower has cleansing and calming properties, it helps to relieve pain used as an infusion (tea) calms nervous animals, the tea is also helpful as a wash for weepy eye

Clover- great roughage fresh or dried, somewhat sedative, both the leaf and the flower can be fed, should not be given to young rabbits, and should be fed sparingly to prevent acidosis

Comfrey- (one of my absolute favorites!) the active ingredient is cholin, a very powerful healing agent, you can feed the root or foliage (though I use only the foliage), will stimulate appetite, and is generally good as a treat, a compress can also be applied to bruised or sprained areas, use a partial leaf of this as the leaves are very large

Dandelion- use as an appetite stimulant or treat, also helpful to prevent wool block and ease wool block, roots or leaves can be used (though I only use leaves), be sure that the leaves are free of pesticides and from a dog free area, wash well, use up to three leaves at a time

Dill- increases milk production, increases appetite, increases intestinal health, leaves work, but seeds are stronger, use a sprinkling of seeds (side effect, bunnies have “pickle” breath for a short while)

Garlic- protects against most disease as well as preventing shock, highly antiseptic, but rabbits don’t like the taste (I have not had occasion to try this one yet)

Mint- dried or fresh mint will increase intestinal health and decrease milk flow (perfect for does that have lost their litter to dry off the milk)

Nasturtium- Highly antiseptic, both leaves and flowers are edible and use up to four leaves

Oats- low in starch, high in mineral content (especially K, P, Mg, and Ca), feed very sparingly in summer and do not feed to young animals

Parsley- rich in iron and copper, contains apiol which is useful in the treatment of urinary problems, seeds, leaves, and roots may be used, roots are used for constipation and intestinal obstruction

Raspberry- treats retained afterbirth by encouraging bloodflow to the organs, inproves does condition during pregnancy, ensures a speedy strong birth, and increases intestinal health

Rosemary- flea killer (very good flea killer, if you an get them to eat it), also prevents flea infestation

Sorrel- soothing and cooling, increases blood flow

Strawberry- antiseptic properties as well as cooling to the rabbit by increasing blood flow, use leaves, roots, and berries, specifically the leaves are rich in iron and supposed to prevent miscarriage, may be ued externally for inflammation, sore eyes, and rashes

Thistles- great to stimulate the appetite, when used with saltines thistles can bring a rabbit back from the brink of death related to intestinal inflammation

Willow- bark contains salicin which cures intestinal inflammation, a branch may be given to weanling babies every day to prevent diarrhea (I have not tried this one myself, no willow trees nearby)

Some additional all natural remedies, not necessarily herbal.

Apple Cider Vinegar- two tablespoons to a gallon of water, fill bowl as necesary, this increases the appetite, and stimulates weight gain

Baking Soda- use as a paste by mixing with a little water to relieve the pain of a nail cut too short, a scratch, or sore hocks (sore hocks should also be treated with an antiseptic, steps should be taken to prevent the exacerbation of the sore hocks by giving the rabbit a piece of drywall or plywood to sit on or moving them to a wooden floored cage)
Banana- due to the vitamin B12 and potassium, it encourages weight gain and stimulates appetite, use the peel and banana, both dried chips and thin slices an be used (I freeze them in the summer as an extra treat!)

Papaya- stimulates appetite and encourages a healthy coat, (this is fantastic stuff, I use it dried as a treat too)

Peanut butter- encourages a healthy coat, is a great treat, and can stimulate the appetite, use 1 to 1/2 teaspoons per day, can also be baked into bunny treats by eliminating the sugar, egg, and milk and substituting whole wheat flour in a traditional cookie recipe, bake to a hard cookie consistency, but allow for additional cooking on the sheet and remember to make teeny cookies!